The Crows’ move to Thebarton hits resident hurdle as 5500 residents sign petition

About 5500 angry residents have signed a petition demanding changes to the current Crows’ plan to move to Thebarton.

The Adelaide Crows released these plans for its new headquarters at Thebarton. Picture: Supplied

Thebarton residents will deliver their latest objection at Parliament House against the Crows’ planned AFL and AFLW move to Kings Reserve at Thebarton.

Infrastructure Minister Tom Koutsantonis will be given a petition signed by around 5500 residents who want changes to the current plan, to save trees and open space.

Spokeswoman for the 5031 Action Group of residents, Emma Dawes, said the purpose of the handover on Tuesday was to “draw scrutiny regarding the responsible use of government money” to locate the Crows in their area.

“Our petition urges the Government not to provide public funding to the Adelaide Football Club to develop the Thebarton Oval/Kings Reserve Precinct unless there is commitment from the AFC to adopt an alternate design and preserve almost all of the 150 mature trees on Kings Reserve,” she said.

Residents against the Crows’ plans for Thebarton. Picture: Supplied

“The Crows should return to a single oval proposal, similar to what they put forward in Brompton, significantly reduce the impact on community by allowing us to retain half of our beautiful park, with 90 per cent of the tree canopy, and cut the bill they are asking taxpayers to fund.”

Ms Dawes estimated the Crows were seeking $80 million for the $100 million relocation from West Lakes, but the money would come from all three levels of government.

The club made around $3 million profit last year, and would have substantial borrowings for the project.

Mr Koutsantonis said: “As the local member it is my obligation to table any petitions presented to me.”

A Crows spokesman confirmed changes had been made to accommodate the residents and work was ongoing.

“We have listened and taken on board community feedback as part of the formal process and continue to work towards a final draft master plan that takes into account a number of considerations, including reducing any impact on trees in the area as much as possible,” the spokesman said.

Adelaide Crows artist impressions of their new base at Thebarton Oval – Aerial CREDIT: City Collective

The 5031 Community Facilities and Green Spaces Action Group said on current plans, it was estimated the Crows would need; $9 million from West Torrens Council, $21 million federal funding and a $56 million deficit the State government to have fund.

“It is looking likely this may come out of various pots of taxpayer dollars,’’ Ms Dawes said.

Ms Dawes said the petition was timed to pressure the State Government to change the plans in the lead up to any funding announcement in the June State Budget.

“We have spiralling costs of living, increasing homelessness with no short-term answers on public housing, and our health system is in crisis,’’ she said.

“The Tasmanian stadium fiasco has put a spotlight on government investment into what is essentially a multi-billion dollar corporate industry.

“And the nuance we have here, in our situation, is not only is this taxpayers’ money, but this is community land, it is the giving away of 9 hectares of community asset with no direct benefit to our local community, questionable unproven benefit to greater Adelaide, and huge cost.”

Ms Dawes said if the Crows plans in Thebarton could not be privately funded the club should scale them back.

“Return to a single oval proposal, similar to what they put forward in Brompton, significantly

reduce the impact on community by allowing us to retain half of our beautiful park, with 90 per cent of the tree canopy, and cut the bill they are asking tax payers to fund,’’ she said